The Highest Tide
by Jim Lynch
Published 2005 by Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 1582346054

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Jacket Notes:

While the sea continues to offer him discoveries from its mysterious depths, such as a giant squid, a teenaged boy struggles to deal with the difficulties that come with the equally mysterious process of growing up.

REVIEW: Publisher's Weekly 07/18/2005

The fertile strangeness of marine tidal life becomes a subtly executed metaphor for the bewilderments of adolescence in this tender and authentic coming-of-age novel, Lynch's first. As a precocious, undersized 13-year-old living on the shore of Puget Sound, in Washington State, Miles O'Malley has developed a consuming passion for the abundant life of the tidal flats. His simple pleasure in observing is tested and complicated over the course of a remarkable summer, when he finds a giant squid, a discovery that brings him the unwelcome attention of scientists, TV reporters and a local cult. Meanwhile, Miles's remote parents are considering a divorce; his best friend, Florence, an elderly retired psychic, is dying of a degenerative disease; his sex-obsessed buddy, Phelps, mocks his science-geek knowledge; and his desperate crush on Angie Stegner, the troubled girl next door, both inspires and humiliates him. Events build toward the date of a record high tide, and Miles slowly sorts out his place in the adult world. While occasionally Lynch packs too much into a small story, this moving, unusual take on the summers of childhood conveys a contagious sense of wonder at the variety and mystery of the natural world. Agent, Kim Witherspoon. (Sept.)

11/01/2005 REVIEW: School Library Journal

Adult/High School -Thirteen-year-old Miles O'Malley's nightly kayaking trips contribute to his expertise on the natural life of the Puget Sound tidal flats. On one of his nocturnal forays, Miles discovers a giant squid, a creature that has never before been sighted in the area, and he becomes a phenomenon. Before long, a spiritual group begins to revere him as a prophet because of his prediction of a high tide in the bay and Miles finds himself in the middle of a firestorm of publicity. The protagonist is not a typical teen: captivated by Rachel Carson's writings, he is interested in reading and in safeguarding the secrets of an elderly friend whose health is declining. But many things are changing in his life: his parents separate; he develops an unlikely friendship with an older boy who is obsessed with sex; and Miles himself hungers after the attention of the out-of-control girl next door. Lynch's lyrical writing holds great interest for teens concerned about the natural world; the book's haunting images will linger in their minds as they contemplate the relationship between the sea's mysteries and Miles's growing understanding of the mysteries of his life.-Ellen Fader, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR

The Opal Deception
by Eoin Colfer
Published 2005 by Miramax Books

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 0786852895

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Jacket Notes:

In Berlin to steal a famous painting from a German bank, criminal mastermind Artemis Fowl doesn't know that his old rival, Opal Koboi, has escaped from prison by cloning herself. She's left her double behind in jail and, now free, seeks revenge on all those who put her there, including Artemis.

07/01/2005 REVIEW: School Library Journal

Gr 5-7 -Identity fraud is at the heart of this fourth book in the series. To all appearances, Opal Koboi, pixie and archenemy of the fairies, is under close surveillance as she lies in a coma. Artemis Fowl, the brilliant 14-year-old criminal mastermind, has had his mind wiped clean of all knowledge of fairies, and, therefore, of all prior goodness he has learned. When the real Opal escapes and leaves behind a DNA-perfect clone of herself, her revenge against all those who opposed her commences with deadly fury. Among the barrage of high-tech gadgets and continuous action sequences and plot twists are moments that give even Artemis Fowl pause as he contemplates friendship, responsibility, and death. The prose is clunky and the characters speak in clichés, but those who enjoyed the earlier books won't care. The humor (heavily dosed with flatulence jokes) and creativity carry the narrative through the tight spots and impossible situations.-Farida S. Dowler, Mercer Island Library, WA

Bucking the Sarge
by Christopher Paul Curtis
Published 2004 by Wendy Lamb Books

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 0385323077

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Jacket Notes:

LUTHER T. FARRELL has got to get out of Flint, Michigan.

As his best friend Sparky says, "Flint's nothing but the Titanic."

And his mother, a.k.a. the Sarge, says, "Take my advice and stay off the sucker path."

The Sarge milked the system to build an empire of slum housing and group homes. Luther's just one of the many people trapped in the Sarge's Evil Empire--but he's about to bust out.

If Luther wins the science fair this year, he'll be on track for college and a future as America's best-known and best-loved philosopher. All he's got to do is beat his arch rival Shayla Patrick, the beautiful daughter of Flint's finest undertaker--and the love of Luther's life.

Sparky's escape plans involve a pit bull named Poofy and the world's scariest rat. Oh, and Luther. Add to the mix Chester X., Luther's mysterious roommate; Dontay Gaddy, a lawyer whose phone number is 1-800-SUE'M ALL; and Darnell Dixon, the Sarge's go-to guy who knows how to break all the rules.

"Bucking the Sarge is a story that only Christopher Paul Curtis could tell. Once again the Newbery Award-winning author of "Bud, Not Buddy and "The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963 gives us a whole new angle on life and a world full of unforgettable and hilarious characters. Readers will root for Luther and Sparky every step of the way.

Praise for "The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963:

"An exceptional first novel."--"Publishers Weekly, Starred

"Ribald humor . . . and a totally believable child's view of the world will make this book an instant hit."--"School Library

Journal, Starred

Praise for "Bud, Not Buddy:

"Curtis has given a fresh, new look to a traditional orphan-finds-a-home story thatwould be a crackerjack read-aloud."

--"School Library Journal, Starred

09/01/2004 REVIEW: School Library Journal

Gr 8 Up -Luther's mother, "the Sarge," runs an empire of Flint, MI, slums and halfway houses, and has a loan-sharking business. At age 15, Luther manages one of her halfway houses, drives the residents around in a van with an illegal license, and readies the homes of evicted tenants for the Sarge's next desperate victims. In exchange, she puts his earnings in a college fund, threatens him into submission, and primes him to take over the business. All Luther wants to do is win the school science fair, think deep thoughts, find some action for the vintage condom in his wallet, and do something honest with his life. Curtis tells the teen's story with his usual combination of goofy humor, tongue-in-cheek corniness, and honest emotion. Accordingly, Luther narrates the absurd, embarrassing details of his life with both adult sensitivity and teen crassness. The dialogue between Luther and Sparky, his "womb to tomb" best friend, is at turns hilarious and touching. The Sarge herself is so convincingly sharp-tongued, shrewd, and despicable that she's the novel's juiciest character. The plot unfolds slowly at first, and teens may lose patience with Luther's tendency to feel sorry for himself. However, once his confidence begins to build, the story keeps a quickening pace with his character arc. His final revenge on the Sarge is so deftly constructed and the novel's resolution so satisfying that it makes up for the occasional lag in the lead-up. Any teen who's ever wanted to stick it to the man (or woman) will love this story.-Johanna Lewis, New York Public Library

Sorceress
by Celia Rees
Published 2002 by Candlewick Press (MA)

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 0763618470

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Jacket Notes:

Fans of the spellbinding story of Mary Newbury can finally find out what happens to her next in this sequel to "Witch Child"--thanks to a young, modern descendant who has an uncanny connection to the past.

REVIEW: Publisher's Weekly 08/26/2002

A Native American teen experiences a life-altering encounter after reading about Mary Newbury the 17th-century protagonist of Witch Child who may be connected with one of her own relatives, in Sorceress by Celia Rees.

12/01/2002 REVIEW: School Library Journal

Gr 7-10-This sequel to Rees's Witch Child (Candlewick, 2001) is a much more complex story, taking readers into a mystical plot that crosses time and place. Agnes, a Native American, is starting college in Boston. She reads part of a diary about 17th-century Mary Newbury and realizes that she has a connection with her from a story passed down in her family about a white woman who had settled with the Mohawks. Contacting the researcher who found Mary's diary leads to experiences that Agnes could not have imagined. While visiting the reservation, her aunt leads her into a vision quest where she "becomes" Mary. She sees a peaceful period, followed by years of death, forced migration, and constant conflict with settlers. Her final role as a respected healer is passed down through Agnes's ancestors, creating the link between the two women. The book ends with a series of historical notes written by Alison, the researcher. Rees manages to carry all of this off through her strong writing style and well-developed characters, using the artifacts that have been preserved in Agnes's family to add to the credibility of the story. The book not only gives readers a view of life 400 years ago and a look at one Native American culture, but also helps them understand what draws someone to historical research by showing that history is the story of people's lives and the events that shape them. While it can stand alone, the novel will be enjoyed more by those who have read Witch Child.-Jane G. Connor, South Carolina State Library, Columbia